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Former India captain Anil Kumble believes Ravindra Jadeja should’ve displayed his courageous side with his bat against England in the Lord’s Test. Chasing 193 against England, when India lost eight wickets at a score of 112, Jadeja stood at the crease and produced a composed knock of an unbeaten 61 off 181. He built a crucial 35-run stand with Jasprit Bumrah for the ninth wicket to keep India’s hopes in chase alive. However, in the end, England held their nerves and dismissed Bumrah and another tailender Mohammed Siraj to bag a 22-run win. Following India’s defeat, there is a feeling among Team India supporters whether Jadeja could’ve taken a chance and taken India home.
Former India skipper Kumble has questioned Jadeja’s batting approach in the match. He feels the 36-year-old should’ve taken a chance against bowlers as the all-rounder possesses a lot of experience on difficult turfs against better bowling attacks.
"The two bowlers he could have potentially taken on were Chris Woakes, who is slightly slower in the air, and then Bashir and Joe Root. I know they're off-spinners taking the ball away, but it wasn't turning square. So there wasn't a lot to worry about in terms of spin or the outside edge. Jadeja has played on tougher pitches and against better bowling. I thought he could have taken a chance," remarked Kumble following the game.
Ravindra Jadeja’s performance in Lord’s Test
Jadeja was effective as a batter for India in both innings, racking up 72 and unbeaten 61 but as a bowler, he struggled to be among the wickets in the second innings. Bowling eight overs in the innings, he couldn’t do any damage to the home side while in the first innings, he took the crucial scalp of Ollie Pope.
However, forgetting Lord’s bitter memories, Shubman Gill and his men will look to bounce back in Greater Manchester, where the fourth Test will be hosted by the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
